Mt. Vernon & Centralia, IL – SSM Health is proud to announce major progress in its sustainability initiatives with the completion of Phase II solar energy projects at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital - Mt. Vernon and the soon-to-be-completed installation at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Centralia.
At SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital, a new solar carport canopy now covers the employee parking lot, delivering 407 kW DC of clean energy through 657 photovoltaic modules, generating approximately 535,161 kWh annually. This design not only reduces carbon emissions by 510 tons of CO₂ each year, which is equivalent to planting 7,651 trees for 10 years, but also provides covered parking to protect employees from rain, snow, and heat.
"These projects demonstrate our commitment to environmental stewardship and employee well-being," said Kelli Edwards, Director of Plant Operations for SSM Health in Southern Illinois. "At Good Samaritan, we’ve combined sustainability with convenience by installing solar panels over the parking lot, while St. Mary’s is making a significant impact with its large-scale ground-mounted system."
Meanwhile, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia is nearing completion of its ground-mounted solar array, which will produce 791,060 kWh annually and reduce 754 tons of CO₂ emissions each year. This system, comprised of 1,008 solar modules, is equivalent to removing 160 gasoline-powered vehicles from the road for a year or powering 85 homes for one year.
About SSM Health in Illinois
SSM Health Illinois is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving the comprehensive health needs of communities across southern Illinois through a robust and fully integrated health care delivery system. The organization’s 1,000 team members and more than 100 providers are committed to providing exceptional health care services and revealing God’s healing presence to everyone they serve.
With care delivery sites in Benton, Centralia, Mt. Vernon, Nashville, and Salem, SSM Health Illinois includes 2 hospitals, more than 43 physician offices and other outpatient and virtual care services, comprehensive home care and hospice services, and an intensive outpatient adult behavioral health program. It is one of the largest employers in every community it serves. For more information, visit ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook.
